Yes, if you're speaking about smeary picture during sporting events, that's just KVUE and the idiotic way it's set up, converting ABC's nice 720p signal to 1080i. But if you're getting a signal dropout, that's another thing entirely.

ABC owns ESPN, and ABC airs a lot of ESPN sports programming. So when you see an ESPN show on ABC, it will be in 1080i, which is the native broadcast resolution of ESPN. It was like that for the World Cup, for example.

I watch a lot of ESPN sports, and have never had a complaint about their picture quality. Same goes for when ABC airs ESPN content. I'm not sure what you mean by "the idiotic way it is set up".

Well, the last time I looked, the ABC feed coming into KVUE was 720p, regardless of program content. The previous owners, Belo, had decided that all their stations would be 1080i, regardless of network. Hence, the "side" conversion with, an unfortunate introduction of artifacts.

It's a very old link, but still applicable IIRC. Frankly, I haven't watched a lot of sports on KVUE for a number of years due to the 720p/1080i issue in that any time you do a conversion like this, something is usually lost. I'm hoping this has changed since 720p first entered that building. But I haven't seen the documentation of it yet. If you have it, please point me in that direction.

No worries at all, sir! <grin> My issues with the 720p/1080i local conversion is that football tends to lose a lot during fast motion. Normal programming, I don't think anyone could ever tell the difference.

If you compare the NASCAR broadcasts on KTBC in their native 720p with football on KVUE, I personally think the difference is almost painful.

For those of you who are considering Dish with an OTA module, I'd like to report here that there is indeed guide data available for most OTA channels in the Hopper.

Thanks for posting. Once the OTA module is added to the Hopper, how does it show up in the guide? Can you post a screenshot?

I guess Prime Time Anytime records the 4 major networks on one tuner and then each OTA channel is considered a tuner and then there are still 3 tuners available for any satellite channels? Can you also post a picture of the "TV Activity" screen (when you push the red button on the remote)?

The channels and subchannels that the OTA module finds appear in the guide just as the satellite-delivered locals do, right beside them. Their logos are in yellow, but that's the only difference. It does take a day for the information to populate, so for the first 24 hours there's no data. If you're familiar with the DirecTV guide, it looks very similar. But unlike DirecTV, you get a real scan, not just the sub-channels that the provider allows you to have.

As to the rest, I'm really a noob at Dish, having last fooled with it back in 1999, and having been with DirecTV ever since. But I'll try to contribute what I can. When I push the red button to record a show currently in progress, a little box pops up saying I'm about to record, and do I want to record just this episode or the entire series.

Having little interest in prime time network programming, I've turned PTA off, so I can't help much there.

I mainly went to Dish for the international English news channels, such as France 24, Euronews, and others.

The channels and subchannels that the OTA module finds appear in the guide just as the satellite-delivered locals do, right beside them. Their logos are in yellow, but that's the only difference. It does take a day for the information to populate, so for the first 24 hours there's no data. If you're familiar with the DirecTV guide, it looks very similar. But unlike DirecTV, you get a real scan, not just the sub-channels that the provider allows you to have.

This makes perfect sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinsho

As to the rest, I'm really a noob at Dish, having last fooled with it back in 1999, and having been with DirecTV ever since. But I'll try to contribute what I can. When I push the red button to record a show currently in progress, a little box pops up saying I'm about to record, and do I want to record just this episode or the entire series.

I should have been clearer. I meant the red button all the way on the left of the remote (grouped with the Blue, Green and Yellow buttons). Not the record button. In any case, it doesn't matter since you don't have Prime Time Any Time turned on. I just wasn't sure if adding an OTA card actually counted as an additional tuner for simultaneous recording. I am sure it does, but I was looking for confirmation.

Does anyone know who to yell at over at TWC about the horrible video quality that their compression is causing? Tonight AGT is nearly unwatchable due to fast movement (dancing), lighting effects (strobing, etc.), and quick camera movements. The image just goes to crap. I also think it has gotten worse lately.

Does anyone know who to yell at over at TWC about the horrible video quality that their compression is causing? Tonight AGT is nearly unwatchable due to fast movement (dancing), lighting effects (strobing, etc.), and quick camera movements. The image just goes to crap. I also think it has gotten worse lately.

It was the same over Dish. Video compressors have a REALLY hard time with strobe lights, confetti or anything that contains a LOT of fast motion going in different directions. HD, all of a sudden, turns into a bad Internet video from the 90s. The producers of the show should be aware of these issues and not do all of that lighting. Those tap dancers needed SOMETHING to make their act watchable. lol

LHN on Time Warner was today replaying the 2006 Rose Bowl. When it got to the shot where Vince Young was surrounded by confetti, the video just went all to Hell. I can tell you that even with KVUE's 720p to 1080i issues, it did NOT look that bad the first time around!

LHN on Time Warner was today replaying the 2006 Rose Bowl. When it got to the shot where Vince Young was surrounded by confetti, the video just went all to Hell. I can tell you that even with KVUE's 720p to 1080i issues, it did NOT look that bad the first time around!

Now you are going to make me watch that section again. I have the original HD recording on my computer.

At no point in your rambling, incoherent post were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this forum is now dumber for having read it.

Has anyone else monitoring this Austin subforum noticed that scanning for OTA service in the past week can bring up a fourth subchannel on 62.4 ostensibly named "Escape" which apparently has a reasonably strong broadcast signal of some sort but no content, so the receiver might not actually lock into it?

Better yet, anyone know what this channel is all about or likely to become whenever it goes live?

Does anyone know who to yell at over at TWC about the horrible video quality that their compression is causing? Tonight AGT is nearly unwatchable due to fast movement (dancing), lighting effects (strobing, etc.), and quick camera movements. The image just goes to crap. I also think it has gotten worse lately.

I don't normally watch AGT, but I recorded last night's episode to see if I could observe any of the issues you have mentioned. I am a DirecTV user, so essentially I was comparing TWC with DTV.

I did not see any video breakup, artifacts, pixelation, etc. during the broadcast, and there were some scenes that were pretty busy with effects, lighting, etc. Maybe TWC has an issue.

Several months ago I purchased a 65" UHD TV, and I have been extremely satisfied with the overall picture quality from DirecTV HD broadcasts. So, there is an alternative to TWC if you are unhappy.

Has anyone else monitoring this Austin subforum noticed that scanning for OTA service in the past week can bring up a fourth subchannel on 62.4 ostensibly named "Escape" which apparently has a reasonably strong broadcast signal of some sort but no content, so the receiver might not actually lock into it?

Better yet, anyone know what this channel is all about or likely to become whenever it goes live?

No one replied, so perhaps no one knew anything more (or didn't particularly care). The channel began broadcasting promos a week ago for today's live feed transition as another English-language classic film service, and 1st up at 1100 CT on the list of mystery/suspense/thriller fare was "Body Heat". The signal is high quality and strong (10/10), and the initial group of movies are all semi-classic or better.

Equipment I'm using: 42" Vizio, Tivo for OTA/DVR and grid-type antenna in attic with a signal-booster bought from HD. Uverse for 'cable' service.

For the most part, reception on all locals is ok. Strong/clear signals, but lately 36-1 has been dropping out/pixelating to the point it is unwatchable. All the transmitting antennas on Mt Larson are about 20mi and my house is around 680'. My directional antenna is aimed at them using a compass. I even get some channels from Temple
For some time I thought the Oak tree in my yard was the problem, but since all the other channels are ok, just what is going on with KXAN is ?
The Tivo has a signal strength meter and 36-1 shows a 91 peak but the meter goes from the mid-40s to high 50s

My TV Fool report Path indicates a 2Edge for 7.1 while the other locals show 1Edge. What's Edge mean?
I had this pixel problem on 7.1 before but apparently their antenna has moved from S IH35 to nearer Mt Larson? No big problem with 7.1/7.2 now.
I live in an HOA. I have a Omnidirectional antenna I could put up and still be in the good graces of the A, but I'm ok with the attic set-up, except for the kxan problem. Had great reception back in the 'old days' of analog signals.
The tower holding the transmitting antennas 'looks down' on me and I'm fewer than 20mi from them. I don't understand why the pixel problem is happening....
Thanks
Dave

Probably because that particular signal is getting reflected, blocked, or otherwise distorted before it gets to the antenna, probably due to whatever is in front of the antenna (your roof and the tree, for exale).

The solution is pretty simple, just move the antenna, a foot or two at a time. Repeat as needed until you find a spot that makes everyone happy.

I use a DirecTV AM21 OTA tuner to watch the locals. I have an outdoor antenna attached to my chimney with line-of-sight to the towers in Davenport Ranch, approximately 5 miles away. My signal strength is 100% on all locals. Yet, the channel 36 signal constantly breaks up, to the point it is unwatchable. For a while, I thought it was my equipment, but now I think it is the signal. Perhaps the signal is so strong that it is over-driving my tuner. Regardless, channel 36 reception sucks.

I use a DirecTV AM21 OTA tuner to watch the locals. I have an outdoor antenna attached to my chimney with line-of-sight to the towers in Davenport Ranch, approximately 5 miles away. My signal strength is 100% on all locals. Yet, the channel 36 signal constantly breaks up, to the point it is unwatchable. For a while, I thought it was my equipment, but now I think it is the signal. Perhaps the signal is so strong that it is over-driving my tuner. Regardless, channel 36 reception sucks.

A ha! Same problem I'm having and you are 'next door' to the signal. Here, 18, 24, 36 & 42 were all strong and the only problem was with 7. Now 7.1/7.2 are no problem and 36 has become one. Odd!
Thanks

Probably because that particular signal is getting reflected, blocked, or otherwise distorted before it gets to the antenna, probably due to whatever is in front of the antenna (your roof and the tree, for exale).

The solution is pretty simple, just move the antenna, a foot or two at a time. Repeat as needed until you find a spot that makes everyone happy.

Thanks. I know about the Fed rule. I did not move into an HOA, it moved in on us. Bought home in '86. HOA was instituted in '96....mainly due to it being 'a possibility' in the deed. NPC people assured me we would be taken into the RR City within 10yrs.....and I believed them.
Anyway, the attic temp is about 600° and I've got the antenna directly at 211° where the tower is from my position. Only problem is with that one channel. I'm too feeble to deal with the procedure you suggest.
Anyway, thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

I have had an RCA ANT3020 antenna in my attic since 2007. In the past couple of years, the reception has degraded, perhaps due to the growth of the tree directly in front of the attic... I'm at Parmer and Mopac, so my reception should be better - TIVO is only hitting at 70 for most stations. I've decided it is time to put an antenna on the roof. I saw the recommendation for the Antennas Direct Clearstream 2. I think that would probably work great. I know nothing about the installation. My questions are:
1) I need to put it on a direct line of site to the towers, right?
2) do I need to connect to something to ground it?
3) is there someplace I can go to review the installation procedures before I buy an antenna?
Thanks for any and all help!

Yes you must Ground the mast. Before you proceed, have you checked the direction your existing antenna is oriented to?. Using a Compass the antenna should be at 204° to 207°. Your location is between me and the tower so the direction will be the same.
Your 70 is much better than what I'm getting. I get good Tivo recording on the local OTA channels except for 36. Same complaint about 36 signal degradation from others. The KXAN engineer claims they had no complaints.....?

those are prolly true-North readings. Compass readings are Magnetic North. Try the Compass and see if there is improvement.
7 is really iffy most times. 24 too. 36 it terrible all the time. 42 is the best. Except for 7 all the transmitting antennas are on the same tower, so why the pixel difficulties is prolly a matter of transmitter power. 7 antenna is at a different tower but close to the other.
No matter what, the transmitting antennas are 'looking down' on the whole Austin area and a clear signal should be simple to receive assuming no obstructions..
An outside antenna would be best of course.

Regarding Escape and Gettv on 62.X, Wikipedia says they're on 31.X (KTFO) as well. But while I've got good signal strength on 31, no sign of any subchannel other than 31.2/KAKW. Is anyone else getting the English subchannels off 31, or just 62?

And for that matter, can anyone give me some guidance on what kind of antenna it would take to pick up 62 from far south Austin, the area of Brodie/MoPac and Slaughter Lane?